Thanks aldiaz. I am definitely going to utilize dual pumps, and am leaning towards a Herbie style syphon.
DB- I like you man...your posts are always on point, but the math just doesn't agree with your comment.
Power consumption comparison at typical tank head (6'):
Reeflo Super Dart Gold does 3,191GPH @ 6' head on 185 watts = 17.2GPH per watt
Laguna Max Flo 4280 does 2,935GPH @ 6' head on 160 watts = 18.3GPH per watt
Laguna is more efficient
Cost Comparison:
Reeflo Super Dart Gold- $388.95 aquacave.com (Free shipping)
Laguna Max Flo 4280- $296.39 Amazon.com (Free shipping)
Laguna is less expensive
After dealing with several Reeflos that had leaky seals (right out of the box), I gave the Lagunas a shot and I have been very happy with mine. It's been running like a champ for 2+ years.
In regards to air pumps, I would recommend the DAPMH15 sold by Jehmco. I was/am really impressed at how quiet it runs. If you want the absolute best and money is no object, the Medo line of pumps are supposedly the best you will find. I was considering getting a Medo, but I couldn't justify spending so much on an air pump.
For a 600 gallon ray tank i would be going with a bigger pump though especially with your rays getting bigger and wanting to breed them. I run about 7500 gph on my 450 gallon tanks and its about perfect
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You nailed it! The issue with submersible pump is either you have to clean it often or replace impeller, shaft, or even new pump if the housing or the magnet gets deformed/damaged from debris or scaling. Plus, real number beat advertised number any dayI like you too?lol
Where does your "math" come from? Didn't happen to be a Laguna add did it?
I've never seen a Dart read over 150 watts. The ones I have reading 150 are Baldor motored hybrids running 4300 GPH impellars in them. The 3.6K rated ones here read 130 watts. Numbers via Kill-A-Watt. Head a little shy of 6' but they do have some pretty long runs........
My beef with submersible pumps is the maintenance involved in descaling them several times a year if you want to keep them from locking up in the liquid rock tap water we have here in the midwest. I killed 2 Danner Hydrives before going externals and have had very little issues with any of the fleet of pumps I use (1 sequence, 2 Dolphins, 4 darts). I had to descale every 4 months to prevent lockups and even then the pumps seldom made it 2 years. Not to mention one Hydrive would suck about the same juice a pair of darts do......
I like you too?lol
Where does your "math" come from? Didn't happen to be a Laguna add did it?
I've never seen a Dart read over 150 watts. The ones I have reading 150 are Baldor motored hybrids running 4300 GPH impellars in them. The 3.6K rated ones here read 130 watts. Numbers via Kill-A-Watt. Head a little shy of 6' but they do have some pretty long runs........
My beef with submersible pumps is the maintenance involved in descaling them several times a year if you want to keep them from locking up in the liquid rock tap water we have here in the midwest. I killed 2 Danner Hydrives before going externals and have had very little issues with any of the fleet of pumps I use (1 sequence, 2 Dolphins, 4 darts). I had to descale every 4 months to prevent lockups and even then the pumps seldom made it 2 years. Not to mention one Hydrive would suck about the same juice a pair of darts do.....
Air pump will need to be of good size in order to get a good boil on a moving bed. If someone out there has an air pump that will run with the Pondmasters (cost vs output vs watts) I'd love to give them a look, but I wasn't able to find one.......
You nailed it! The issue with submersible pump is either you have to clean it often or replace impeller, shaft, or even new pump if the housing or the magnet gets deformed/damaged from debris or scaling. Plus, real number beat advertised number any day![]()
Yes, that was another consideration that I was contemplating.Just to add fuel to the fire I have seem reefers running the Laguna's 100% external with 0 issues. So calling them submersible only isn't accurate...